Happy Birthday to the USA, and here's what's cooking this week to celebrate the incredible melting pot that is uniquely American.

Vietnamese Chicken Sandwiches

MondayVietnamese chicken sandwiches, using a new recipe for Vietnamese-style grilled chicken, namasu, shredded carrots, mayo and sriracha on green onion slab bread. With leftoverHawaii Homestyle Mac Salad, this variation had diced green peppers. I hope to post the grilled chicken and another grilled pork recipe later this week.

TuesdaySpicy Turkey Burgers and sweet potato fries with peach/ginger catsup from a recipe I got from another client who also happens to be my egg supplier.

WednesdayAnnual 4th of July potluck. A smaller affair than last year. The menu is still TBD, but there will be Spam Musubi for sure.

4th of July--Happy Birthday USAPicnic originally for 14, up to 25 so far. The more the merrier.

For quite a few years now, we've organized an ohana-style potluck picnic. We lounge, 'talk-story,' eat, listen to the San Francisco Symphony pops concert, eat, talk-story some more, watch the fireworks and have desserts. Great memories and killer recipes always come from this picnic.